An initiative to play a part in climate change countermeasures has been launched at vending machines in the city. A major beverage manufacturer has newly developed a vending machine with the function of absorbing carbon dioxide from the air.
This vending machine has the function of embedding carbon dioxide absorbers such as calcium in the equipment and taking in outside air with a radius of about 1 meter.
By replacing products regularly when replenishing products, the annual carbon dioxide absorption per unit is equivalent to about 1 cedar trees.
The beverage manufacturer that developed the product plans to start demonstration tests next month and full-scale deployment nationwide from next year.
In addition, we believe that the absorbed carbon dioxide may be used as a raw material for concrete and fertilizer, and we are considering how to use it for companies and local governments.
Efforts to save energy in vending machines are spreading among manufacturers, but according to the company, this is the first time in Japan that a vending machine has been developed to have a function that directly absorbs carbon dioxide.
Taichi Yoneme, president of Asahi Soft Drinks, a major beverage company, said, "We would like to contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society by creating forests in urban areas by utilizing the familiar infrastructure of vending machines."